Help Computer Guys
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From: Magrath
Help Computer Guys
My computer is a piece of JUNK. I cannot seem to get it running properly. Even when I do a complete system re-install, which is suppose to completely erase everything on the hard drive, it still acts up.
Is there anything I can do, or am I just going to have to bite the bullet and buy a new computer?
The computer is a 600mh E-tower and until this point, did everything I needed it to do. All I do with it is use the internet.
Is there anything I can do, or am I just going to have to bite the bullet and buy a new computer?
The computer is a 600mh E-tower and until this point, did everything I needed it to do. All I do with it is use the internet.
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From: Magrath
The only disk I recieved when I bought the computer is the Restore disk. Can I re-format the hard drive then put the disk in or do I need to have a separate disk for Windows only?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: S. Mississippi
If you can find a win98 bootdisk, and boot the machine from that when you get to the command prompt, just type in Fdisk and delete the primary partition.... after it does that, when you go to reinstall windows, it should automatically reformat the drive, thus giving you a clean slate.
If you can't find one here's ya go Bootdisks
If you can't find one here's ya go Bootdisks
Last edited by desperado_18_2000; Feb 9, 2004 at 07:03 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Format a floppy disk and make it a bootable disk. After formatting, copy the format.com file to it. Boot the PC from this floppy disk and execute format.com. When this is done, reboot and install the cd (restore) that came with it. You will then be back to day one.
You may choose to copy/use fdisk rather than format.
You may choose to copy/use fdisk rather than format.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: WA
Acting up as in what?
Like said before, boot up in dos, format c: /s then reinstall the OS and you should be good as new.
Like said before, boot up in dos, format c: /s then reinstall the OS and you should be good as new.
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BEWARE OF FORMATTING YOUR HARD DRIVE!!
Only format the drive that does not contain your system info on it. Usually drive D. You can check by looking in "My Computer" and see if you have two drives listed. The one with the smallest size should be the system drive.
I made a mistake by removing the partition and formatting it as one drive and lost EVERYTHING, The restore disk was useless afterward. I had to buy a new Windows cd (the full version at about $200). So just make sure you fromat the correct drive.
Only format the drive that does not contain your system info on it. Usually drive D. You can check by looking in "My Computer" and see if you have two drives listed. The one with the smallest size should be the system drive.
I made a mistake by removing the partition and formatting it as one drive and lost EVERYTHING, The restore disk was useless afterward. I had to buy a new Windows cd (the full version at about $200). So just make sure you fromat the correct drive.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kitimat, British Columbia
Coolman, IMHO if you have never formated a system and are unsure either have a professional do it or a friend that knows what they are doing. StorminMarv is right if you mess up you will lose more then what your current problem is. If you take it to someone that knows what they are doing they might be able to fix the problem without you losing everything. My 2 cents tho!!!!
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From: Magrath
It worked, or is working now. I ran through the Fdisk and delete everthing I could, put in the restore disk, and it all seems to work now.
I wasn't worried about losing anything as I backup anything of value onto a cd on a regular basis, and did so on Saturday. All the other programs I have disks for.
Thanks for all your help. If I don't sign on tomorrow, the computer died again and will be dropped out of my truck at 70 mph on my way to buy a new one.
I wasn't worried about losing anything as I backup anything of value onto a cd on a regular basis, and did so on Saturday. All the other programs I have disks for.
Thanks for all your help. If I don't sign on tomorrow, the computer died again and will be dropped out of my truck at 70 mph on my way to buy a new one.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NC
A few questions:
Have you added any new hardware, cd burners, etc?
Are your fans running?
Hardware problems can cause wierd behavior as well.
My advice is to call Dell and buy a refurb machine. 99% are machines returned unboooted by corporate customers who screwed up orders. Full warranty, half cost. A professional will charge you over 50 percent of the replacement cost of a modern base new pc with what you need.
I manage 2200 pc's and bunches of servers, my 2 cents.
Have you added any new hardware, cd burners, etc?
Are your fans running?
Hardware problems can cause wierd behavior as well.
My advice is to call Dell and buy a refurb machine. 99% are machines returned unboooted by corporate customers who screwed up orders. Full warranty, half cost. A professional will charge you over 50 percent of the replacement cost of a modern base new pc with what you need.
I manage 2200 pc's and bunches of servers, my 2 cents.